Funny animal limericks were common years ago, but it was less common to create a sequence of these limericks into a story. The Erratic Rat is a very short story, true, but it shows the whimsical, silly, imaginative flavors from this clever era.

A Brief Limerick Story:The Erratic Rat

There was a ridiculous RatWho was awfully puffy and fat. “I’ll carry,” he said, “This plate on my head,‘Twill answer in place of a hat.”

And then he remarked with a frown,“I suppose that I must have a gown; I’ll make me a kilt Of this old crazy-quilt,To wear when I’m going to town.

“And of course, though the weather is warm,It may be there’ll come up a storm; An umbrella I’ll make Of a caraway cake,It’ll match with my whole uniform.

"And I’ll carry a bottle of inkIn case I should wish for a drink; And this flat-iron so sweet I’ll take with me to eat,And now I am ready, I think.”